To All,
Good Saturday Morning April 22 2023
I hope that your week has gone well and the weekend gives you some relaxing time.
There is a very good article at the end on China.
Regards,
Skip
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This day in Naval and Marine Corps History April 22
April 22
On This Day
1778
During the American Revolution, two boats of volunteers from the sloop-of-war Ranger, commanded by John Paul Jones, go ashore at Whitehaven, England, burning ships in the harbor and spiking the guns of the fort.
1898
Rear Adm. William T. Sampson leaves Key West, Fla., with the North Atlantic Squadron to begin the blockade of the northern Cuban ports, the beginning of the Spanish-American War.
1945
USS Carter (DE 112) and USS Neal A. Scott (DE 769) sink German submarine U 518 west by south of the Azores.
1945
USS Hardhead (SS 365) sinks Japanese cargo vessel Mankei Maru off Chimpson and USS Cero (SS 225)sinks the Japanese guardboat Aji Maru west of Tori Jima and damaged the guardboat No.9 Takamiya Maru.
1989
USS Gunston Hall (LSD 44) is commissioned at Avondale Shipyard, New Orleans, La.
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This day in World History
0296 St. Gaius ends his reign as Catholic Pope.
0536 St. Agapitus I ends his reign as Catholic Pope.
1500 Pedro Alvarez Cabral discovers Brazil.
1509 Henry VIII ascends to the throne of England upon the death of his father, Henry VII.
1529 Spain and Portugal divide the eastern hemisphere in the Treaty of Saragossa.
1745 The Peace of Fussen is signed.
1792 President George Washington proclaims American neutrality in the war in Europe.
1861 Robert E. Lee is named commander of Virginia forces.
1889 The Oklahoma land rush officially starts at noon as thousands of Americans race for new, unclaimed land.
1898 In the first action of the Spanish-American War, the USS Nashville, takes on a Spanish ship.
1915 At the Second Battle of Ypres, the Germans use poison gas for the first time.
1918 British naval forces attempt to sink block-ships in the German U-boat bases at the Battle of Zeebrugge.
1931 Egypt signs treaty of friendship with Iraq.
1944 Allies launch major attack against the Japanese in Hollandia, New Guinea.
1954 The Senate Army-McCarthy hearings begin. They are broadcast on television.
1955 Congress orders all U.S. coins to bear the motto "In God We Trust."
1976 Barbara Walters becomes the first female nightly news anchor on network television.
1995 In Africa, Rwandan troops kill thousands of Hutu refugees in Kibeho.
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ROLLING THUNDER REMEMBERED Thanks to the Bear … Bear🇺🇸⚓️🐻
OPERATION ROLLING THUNDER (1965-1968)…
From the archives of rollingthunderremembered.com post
Skip… For The List for Saturday, 22 April 2023… Bear🇺🇸⚓️🐻
OPERATION ROLLING THUNDER (1965-1968)…
From the archives of rollingthunderremembered.com post for 22 April 1968… A great day to remember the life and service of a great warrior, General Charles G. Boyd, USAF (15 April 1938–28 March 2022)… "Glory gained, duty done"… On 22 April 1966, 57 years ago this day, Chuck Boyd earned his Air Force Cross and began his six years as a valiant leader of our POWs in North Vietnam…
This following work accounts for every fixed wing loss of the Vietnam War and you can use it to read more about the losses in The Bear's Daily account. Even better it allows you to add your updated information to the work to update for history…skip
Vietnam Air Losses
Access Chris Hobson and Dave Lovelady's work at: https://www.VietnamAirLosses.com.
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The loss of Wigs make this mean a whole lot more to many of us
I still can't figure out when the official Brother's day is but a year ago these words from Dutch, Mark Winton and the Bear are well worth repeating for all of us who served.
Thanks to THE Bear -
Dutch.... And all you great guys on the Dutchman's circuit-- Windmillers -- thanks for sharing, and thanks for making this old Grumpy Grizzly happier, healthier, smarter and loving than I ever hoped to be... Happy Brother's Day ( Every Day ).... Luvyaguys.... Bear
Mark Linton wrote: A real man is the kind of man that when your feet hit the floor each morning the devil says 'Oh Crap, he's up'! Brother, life is too short to wake up with regrets. So love the people who treat you right. Forgive the ones who don't just because you can. Believe everything happens for a reason. If you get a second chance, grab it with both hands. If it changes your life, let it. Take a few minutes to think before you act when you're mad . Forgive quickly. God never said life would be easy. He just promised it would be worth it. Today is Brother's day, send this to all your brothers, fathers, sons and me if I am one. Happy brothers Day! I LOVE YA BROTHER!!! To the cool men that have touched my life. Here's to you!! A real Brother walks with you when the rest of the world walks on you.
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Farm Boy to Fighter Pilot - Schaffert engagement Thanks for sharing - outstanding! v/r snake On Wed, Apr 21, 2021 at 4:09 PM Richard Schaffert <brownbearlead@gmail.com> wrote:
Hi Barrett! General Spector, Sir!
Wow! US Navy official documents, originated by "Red Crown," a radar-picket Cruiser, would show there was only one "major strike" into the Red River delta area during that entire, 14 Dec '67, afternoon. It was composed of two 4-aircraft divisions of A4E aircraft from VA-163 and 164, all loaded with bombs armed with MK-36 Destruct fuzes to mine the "Canal del la Bamboo."
There were 2 F8E (TARCAP) aircraft from VF-162 assigned to escort the A4E bombers. The mission of the VF-162 Crusaders (Swanson and Wyman) was strictly limited to close escort of the A4E mine-laying strike group, all the way to the target and then all the way back out to feet wet. Which is exactly what they did! When the last mine-laying A4E reported "feet wet" is when the VF-162 section of F8E's returned to join the "fight," which had already began several minutes earlier.
There were two 2-aircraft Iron Hand sections, each composed of an F8C Escort from VF-111 and an A4E armed with two Shrike and MK-82 bombs from VA-164.
When the initial engagement began, between four MiG-17s and one of the Shrike shooting sections (Nelson and Schaffert), the other Shrike shooting section (Weichman and Rasmussen) was more than 30 miles north of the MiG engagement area.
The info on which "Topi" evidently based his engagement report is, to me, obviously mostly pure fiction, manufactured somewhere along the line by NVN participants, et,al. They had the time of engagement and the altitudes correct, but that's about all!
Twenty years later, I became aware of an Hungarian journalist reported to have been in Hanoi, and while working in Hungary in the late 80's, I attemped to contact "Topi," but he denied me an audience. In Hanoi Radio's broadcast the night of 14 Dec '67, of which I have an original "intercept" by CTF-77, NVN claimed one "US AIr Pirate" shot down by the people of a nearby village, but there was no report of an aerial engagement.
I'm quite flattered to "learn" they thought they were fighting "ten or more" Crusaders, when it was really only the "Brown Bear!" Wonder who had the flight suit laundry concession at that MiG base?
Thanks for sharing, Barrett!
Dick Schaffert
ps: General Spector, Sir! I believe I already forwarded you an e-book version of Farm Boy? If you would prefer a printed copy, I'll put it in the mail to Israel tomorrow.
Sent from my iPad
On Apr 21, 2021, at 10:44 AM, Barrett Tillman <btillman63@hotmail.com> wrote:
Courtesy of Topi in Hungary. Appears focused on VF-162 and Rick Wyman's combat.
Barrett
From: Toperczer
Sent: Saturday, April 10, 2021 11:28 AM
To: Barrett Tillman <btillman63@hotmail.com>
Subject: Re: Fw: Farm Boy to Fighter Pilot The North Vietnamese version:
Air Engagement on 14 December 1967
14 December 1967 was the first day of the seventh wave of American air attacks on targets in the Hanoi area.
The Air Force Command Headquarters assessed the situation and concluded that the Ameicans would again send large forces to attack targets in the Hanoi area. It was decided to use a flight of MiG-17s from the 923rd Fighter Regiment to disrupt the American bomber formation. A flight of four MiG-17s was on combat alert duty on 14 December 1967, with pilots Luu Huy Chao, Le Hai, Bui Van Suu, and Nguyen Dinh Phuc. At 1300 hours the flight went to Combat Alert Condition 1. At 1311 hours the flight took off and headed toward Nha Nam to attack a formation of enemy bombers approaching to attack Kep Airfield. In the end, however, the enemy bombers turned down over southern Hai Duong and then turned back up to attack Hanoi. The MiG-17 flight was ordered to turn back and land.
During the afternoon the U.S. Navy put together a large strike force made up of F-8Es and A-4s from Squadrons VF-111 and VF-162 off the aircraft carrier U.S.S. Oriskany to attack targets in the Red River Delta. Air Force Headquarters ordered the flight of MiG-17s from the 923rd Fighter Regiment (pilots Luu Huy Chao, Le hai, Bui Van Son, and Nguyen Dinh Phuc) to get ready for battle. At 1555 hours the flight went to Combat Alert Condition 1. At 1614 hours the flight took off and flew off on a heading of 180 degrees while climbing to an altitude of 2,000 meters. The flight then made a turn to the right and climbed to an altitude of 4,000 meters. At 1626 hours the No. 4 pilot spotted four F-4s (sic) at a range of 20 kilometers. When the A-4s reported that there were MiGs in the area, the F-8E fighter escorts swept forward to engage the MiG-17s. The MiG-17 flight split into two sections and closed with their target, with one section fighting at an altitude of 3,500-4,000 meters and the second fighting at an altitude of 1,500-2,000 meters.
Ten or more U.S. Navy F-8s fought the four MiG-17s in a swirling battle to the death, with aircraft intermingled as they chased one another. When the No. 2 F-8E got on the tail of a MiG-17 and was preparing to fire a missile, he was warned that another MiG-17 was on his tail. The MiG-17 behind him had another F-8E on its tail. The F-8E fired a missile, but it missed.
The air battle raged from an altitude of 5,000 meters all the way down to low altitude. The MiGs would get on an opponents tail and be preparing to attack but the F-8s were constantly making hard, sharp turns and the MiGs were not able to cut inside the turns to get into position to fire their guns. The U.S. Navy F-8Es were quite maneuverable, they were armed with both missiles and 20mm guns, and they flew in extended, loose formation, so when a MiG would engage in a turning dogfight with one F-8 other F-8s would move away and wait for a favorable opportunity to push their throttles forward and charge in to fire missiles. The two opposing sides engaged in a swirling fight, with the F-8s repeatedly firing missiles and the MiGs taking evasive maneuvers. The F-8s tried to draw the MiGs out toward the ocean, but the MiG-17s kept circling and would not move far from their original position. No. 2, Le Hai, flew his aircraft in three very tight circles but was still unable to shake the F-8 behind him. No. 1 saw Le Hai's predicament and dove down from above, firing a burst of his guns from a head-on position with the enemy fighter. Only then did the F-8 finally turn away to avoid the burst of fire.
Our second MiG-17 section, made up of No. 3, Suu, and No. 4, Phuc, was engaged in a separate ferocious dogfight against three F-8Es. During a battle lasting for seven minutes, all four MiG-17s fired their guns and No. 1, Luu Huy Chao, shot down one F-8E. At 1630 hours the command post ordered the pilots to break off the engagement.
Flight leader Luu Huy Chao led his pilots up along the course of the Red River at extremely low altitude over the river to return to base to land. After the pilots broke off and were headed back to the airfield, No. 1, No. 2, and No. 4 turned back to counterattack when they discovered F-8s chasing them. The F-8s dispersed and headed back out to sea. The flight leader called each of his pilots to check on them and then the flight formed up to fly back to the airfield. No. 4, Phuc, was trailing about six-seven kilometers behind the rest of the flight. At that moment a formation of six F-8s swept in from the direction of Hai Duong and No. 4 turned back to drive them away. A missile struck the left side of the fuselage of Phuc's Mig-17. The MiG crashed in Dang Quan Village, My Hao District, Hai Duong Province, and the pilot was killed. The F-8E that shot down Nguyen Dinh Phuc's MiG with an AIM-9D missile was flown by Lieutenant Richard E. Wyman of Squadron VF-162.
In this battle the U.S. Navy had changed its tactics. Rather that striving to dog-fight with the MiG-17s, they strove to fly away quickly to lure the MiGs to follow them. When the MiGs refused to chase them, the American aircraft waited for our flight of MiGs to form up together to return to the airfield. They then split up into small sections and snuck up, taking advantage of times when our MiG pilots dropped their guard to make surprise attacks when the MiGs were low on fuel and when our pilots were tired. Lieutenant R. E. Wyman's F-8 had first engaged in a dog-fight with a MiG-17, then had flown back out over the ocean and waited until the MiG-17 flight turned back to head home to land. Lt. Wyman then swept in and fired a missile that hit Nguyen Dinh Phuc's MiG. During this battle all four MiG pilots were forced to turn back to make counterattacks. No. 4 was killed while he was making his second counterattack. This experience taught our MiG pilots lessons in timing, formation, and support tactics when breaking off engagements to return to base when our MiGs were heavily outnumbered.
The air engagement on 14 December 1967 was extremely ferocious. The pilots from both sides demonstrated their skill, and the Vietnamese pilots fought with great determination, displaying their excellent air combat skills. They made the four F-8Es fight very hard and Luu Huy Chao was able to shoot down one F-8E, resulting in a 1 to 1 exchange ratio in this battle.
This was one of the longest air battles in the history of the air war over North Vietnam; it lasted for a total of ten minutes and 45 seconds.
Respectfully -
Commander Cobra
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Thanks to Brett
Stratfor snippets - Turkey, Syria/Saudi Arabia, EU, Poland/Hungary, U.S./Philippines, Afghanistan, Congo, India, Brazil, China, Germany, Ukraine, Bangladesh, Yemen, Chile, France, India/Russia, Hong Kong
Turkey: Opposition Presidential Candidate Defends Kurdish Rights
What Happened: Turkey's main opposition presidential candidate, Kemal Kilicdaroglu, defended Kurdish rights and accused President Recep Tayyip Erdogan of manipulating ethnic tensions for electoral gain, Al Arabiya reported on April 18.
Why It Matters: Kilicdaroglu hopes to win Kurdish voters away from the ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP), as well as establish greater unity and build his support among the diverse range of opposition alliances. The Kurdish vote will be critical in Turkey's May 14 presidential election, and the country's main Kurdish majority party, the People's Democratic Party (HDP) — which is largely running candidates under the umbrella of the Green Left Party in case of a ban on the HDP — will be a potential kingmaker in the final results.
Background: Erdogan, the AKP and nationalist parties have accused some Kurdish political leaders of fomenting unrest in Turkey via ties with Kurdish militant groups. The HDP tacitly supports the opposition Nation Alliance coalition, under which Kilicdaroglu is running, although it has not formally joined the coalition due to disagreements with other member parties.
Syria, Saudi Arabia: Countries Continue to Normalize Ahead of Arab League Summit
What Happened: Saudi Arabian Foreign Minister Faisal bin Farhan Al Saud met with Syrian President Bashar al Assad in Damascus, Syria, Al Jazeera reported on April 18. The Saudi Ministry of Foreign Affairs said the visit was designed to find a political solution to Syria's civil war that would ensure Syria's "Arab identity and return it to its Arab surroundings."
Why It Matters: The visit continues to normalize Saudi-Syrian relations ahead of the Arab League summit on May 19, where some members may push to reintegrate Syria into the bloc. However, Qatar, Jordan and Morocco all have demanded that Syria make substantial steps toward political reconciliation before such reintegration, which means such a push would likely be met with a split vote. Regardless, the United States has shown no signs that it plans to lift its sanctions campaign on Syria, meaning some entities and businesses in countries that have normalized with Syria may be tempted to try to skirt U.S. sanctions, particularly if they have no exposure to the West's financial system.
Background: The visit comes a week after Syria's foreign minister visited Saudi Arabia for the first time in over 10 years. Many Arab states are pushing to re-integrate Syria into the Arab diplomatic world in a bid to weaken Iranian influence and increase humanitarian aid to Syria, particularly after the major earthquakes in February.
EU: Parliament Reaches Deal on EU Chips Act, Matching U.S. Support for Semiconductors
What Happened: Negotiators from the European Parliament, the Swedish Presidency of the Council of the European Union, and the European Commission reached a deal for the 43 billion euro ($47 billion) EU Chips Act, Politico reported on April 18. The deal was reached weeks earlier than expected.
Why It Matters: The deal paves the way for the EU Chips Act to match the United States' own CHIPS and Science Act for subsidies for the semiconductor industry. Although it is uncertain whether or not the European Union will reach its goal of increasing the bloc's share of the overall semiconductor value chain from 9% to 20% (since other markets are also expanding fiscal support for chipmakers), the deal will help spur more investment into chipmaking on the Continent. Already, several major semiconductor manufacturers have announced plans to build multibillion-dollar fabrication plants in Europe, including Intel Corp., STMicroelectronics and GlobalFoundries.
Background: The Financial Times reported the week of April 10 that German officials were pushing Intel to expand its 17 billion euro ($18.6 billion) planned fabrication plant in Eastern Germany. The United States passed its $52.7 billion CHIPS and Science Act in August 2022 to subsidize U.S.-made chips by building new chip fabrication plants, expanding research and development efforts, and supporting workforce development.
Poland, Hungary, Ukraine: Warsaw Announces Deal to Lift Ban on Ukrainian Agri-Food Products
What Happened: The Polish government announced that it had reached a deal with the Ukrainian government to lift a ban on the transit of Ukrainian agri-food products announced on April 15, Reuters reported on April 18. According to the Polish government, the deal includes additional product controls to ensure they only transit Polish territory but do not stay there and that Ukrainian agri-food products would be transported directly to Polish ports on the Baltic Sea or neighboring countries.
Why It Matters: If implemented, this deal will reopen the door for Ukraine to take its agri-food products out of the country and reach its export market. Poland is a key player in this because of the extension of its land border with Ukraine and its multiple commercial ports on the Baltic Sea. Whether Slovakia and Hungary reach similar deals remains to be seen, though their role as transit countries is not as important as Poland's. Hungary, however, could be the toughest country to convince, considering the constant tensions with Ukraine over many issues. In fact, Hungary announced on April 19 that it plans to expand (rather than lift) the ban on Ukrainian products entering the country.
Background: While the European Union has not made any official announcements, Poland has likely received EU reassurances that more aid for its farmers is on the way, but it is unclear how Poland will ensure that this new deal will resolve the logistical issues that resulted in the Ukrainian products staying in Poland in the first place. Separately, on April 18, the European Commission announced that it was working on a second package of financial aid for farmers in EU member states that have been negatively affected by the arrival of cheaper Ukrainian agricultural products. While no figures were announced, the new package will come on top of the 56 million euros ($61 million) in aid that Brussels had originally announced when the deal to lift tariffs on Ukrainian agricultural products was first introduced in early 2022.
U.S., Philippines: Manila Suggests Upper Limit to Military Cooperation
What Happened: Philippine Foreign Secretary Enrique Manalo told a Senate inquiry that the United States cannot stockpile arms or refuel, repair, and reload materiel in the country as part of any Taiwan conflict contingency under the recently revived and expanded Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement (EDCA), The Philippine Star reported on April 19. Manalo added that the Philippines' "main foreign policy is really to be friends to all."
Why It Matters: The remarks came in the context of a senatorial grilling and likely demonstrate an upper limit to U.S.-Philippine military cooperation. Manila intends the comments to address domestic concerns about EDCA sites becoming legitimate military targets in the event of a Taiwan conflict, as would be the case if the United States uses them to carry out military objectives. Manalo's words may also help reassure China that the Philippines does not pose an overt military threat to its strategic interests ahead of a state visit by Chinese Foreign Minister Qin Gang to Manila on April 21.
Background: After unveiling four additional EDCA sites strategically positioned to face the South China Sea and Taiwan on April 4, both China and some Philippine lawmakers have expressed alarm. Some Philippine lawmakers are citing provisions of the 2023 U.S. National Defense Authorization Act (allowing a contingency arms stockpile in Taiwan) as unwanted.
Afghanistan: U.N. Weighs Options as Taliban Ban on Female U.N. Employees Persists
What Happened: The head of the U.N. Development Program, Achim Steiner, said the United Nations is ready to pull out of Afghanistan in May if negotiations with the Taliban over the group's ban on female U.N. employees do not bear fruit, AP reported April 18. The statements come after the United Nation's deputy secretary-general said on April 17 that the organization plans to organize a conference to discuss the Taliban's long-standing ambition for international recognition, noting the Taliban's request for recognition is "the leverage we have."
Why It Matters: Recent reports suggest the broad range of options the United Nations is considering as the Taliban's ban on female U.N. employees persists, though the threat of withdrawal is likely in part intended to pressure the Taliban to compromise on its policy. Steiner further stated that "the entire United Nations system" was "reevaluating its ability to operate [in Afghanistan]," suggesting a potential U.N. withdrawal could apply to a broad swathe of U.N. operations there. Both a potential U.N. withdrawal and only a minor Taliban compromise on its restrictions on women working risk worsening the country's humanitarian crisis.
Background: The reports come weeks after U.N. officials said on April 4 that the Taliban banned its female employees from working nationwide, prompting the United Nations to direct all its Afghan employees to work from home until May; a U.N. spokesperson also subsequently implied the existence of a contingency plan. A prior Taliban ban on female nongovernmental organization workers in December 2022 prompted aid organizations to similarly suspend their operations and evaluate prospects for their continued work in the country. Multiple aid organizations, including the International Rescue Committee, Save the Children and CARE International, later reportedly resumed some of their operations following Taliban assurances that female NGO employees in health and office support roles could still work.
Congo: Gecamines and CMOC Reach Royalties Settlement Over Tenke Fungurume Mine
What Happened: Chinese mining company CMOC (previously China Molybdenum Co. Ltd.) announced that it finalized a deal with the Democratic Republic of the Congo's state-run mining company Gecamines to resolve a nearly year-long dispute over royalty payments from the Tenke Fungurume copper and cobalt mine, Bloomberg reported on April 19.
Why It Matters: As Congolese President Felix Tshisekedi has made renegotiating "predatory" mining contracts made under the previous administration a focus of his presidency, the agreement will likely improve relations between CMOC and Gecamines in the medium term. The agreement will also enable the resumption of exports from Tenke Fungurume — Congo's second-largest copper and cobalt mine — that CMOC has been stockpiling since July 2022 when Gecamines blocked exports. Even so, the export of Tenke Fungurume's stockpiled copper and cobalt is unlikely to impact global prices, as the volume of copper from Tenke Fungurume is insufficient and global cobalt prices are already down.
Background: CMOC said in a statement published on its website that it had reached a "win-win" consensus with Gecamines, but it did not give specific terms of the agreement. CMOC and Gecamines have been feuding over the last year after Congolese officials accused CMOC of misreporting copper and cobalt reserves in order to reduce its royalty payments to Gecamines, prompting Gecamines to block exports from Tenke Fungurume.
India: Heatwave Portends Summer Challenges
What Happened: The India Meteorological Department issued a heatwave alert in some states, including Uttar Pradesh, Odisha and Andhra Pradesh, amid days of intense heat throughout much of the country, The Indian Express reported on April 19. Above-average temperatures in much of the country have resulted in more than a dozen deaths from heatstroke and dehydration, and they have prompted schools in some states to either close or adjust their schedules.
Why It Matters: The heatwave portends what is expected to be a particularly hot summer that will test the country's power grid, prompting risks of blackouts and to personal health. Besides threatening disruptions to business operations, power cuts also risk triggering at least localized protests, which may spread in the event of more widespread and persistent outages.
Background: Grid-India, the country's power operator, previously warned that energy capacity in the hottest months of 2023 would likely only meet around 83% of peak demand at night, when solar energy is unable to adequately bolster that from coal, nuclear power and gas. The Indian government has since taken steps to mitigate risks of power cuts, including expediting the maintenance of coal power plants to prepare for peak demand, as well as instructing hydro plants to optimize their water utilization.
Brazil: High-Level National Security Advisor Resigns Over Presence at Jan. 8 Riot
What Happened: The top security advisor to Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva resigned after CNN Brasil released footage of him walking around the presidential palace while it was occupied by rioters seeking to overturn the results of the presidential election on Jan. 8, Reuters reported on April 19.
Why It Matters: The footage will likely stoke the opposition's claims that the Lula administration facilitated the riots to gain political capital, potentially bolstering opposition parties' efforts to form a special committee that would enable them to push the right-wing version of the events. Regardless of whether the government allows such a committee to move forward, the footage will further polarize Brazilians' views of the events of Jan. 8, especially as Brazil's Supreme Court begins charging individuals for their actions during the riots. The increased polarization will likely make it difficult for Lula to pass policy, such as a new fiscal framework expected to go to the National Congress the week of April 24.
Background: On Jan. 8, supporters of Brazil's former right-wing President Jair Bolsonaro broke into and vandalized the headquarters of the country's three branches of government after overwhelming security forces in the capital Brasilia. The riot was in protest of Lula's electoral victory in October 2022, which many Bolsonaro supporters (and the ex-president himself) believe was fraudulent.
Turkey: Supreme Election Council Ruling Will Complicate Election Day for Opposition Voters
What Happened: Turkey's Supreme Election Council (YSK) voted to bar the opposition Republican People's Party (CHP) and Iyi Party from appearing on the ballot during the country's May 14 general election under the label "Nation Alliance," the name of the CHP-led opposition coalition, Hurriyet Daily News reported on April 20.
Why It Matters: The ruling will make the ballot more confusing for voters, especially the 5 million new young voters who are not experienced in navigating Turkey's sometimes byzantine coalitions. With a high voter turnout expected and the results potentially very narrow, such efforts may help tip the scales in the ruling Justice and Development Party's (AKP) favor in certain districts. The YSK will likely continue to use subtle legal ways to suppress the opposition ahead of the elections. If the AKP performs better than expected, efforts like this will fuel opposition accusations that the ruling party cheated to win the election, leading to unrest. If the AKP does not win key offices, the YSK will likely seek to re-run such polls.
Background: The YSK is appointed by the AKP-controlled courts and has used its influence to tip the scales in favor of the AKP in the past, like when it decided to re-run the Istanbul mayoral race in 2019. There are 26 total parties running in the election, making the "Nation Alliance" label useful for opposition-minded voters who might not know everything about each party.
China: BMW Under Fire at Shanghai Auto Show as Consumer Nationalism Persists
What Happened: Nationalist Chinese citizens/netizens criticized German automaker BMW after a video recording of the company's booth at the Auto Shanghai 2023 event appeared to show local Chinese booth workers privileging service to a foreign employee over Chinese event attendees, Reuters reported on April 20. This follows Beijing's silencing of a story on Aug. 19 about an apartment fire in Beijing that killed 29 people.
Why It Matters: Beijing's selective censorship will taint the Chinese business environment, perpetuating the perception among Western companies that Chinese competitors are unfairly advantaged in the public eye and that Beijing is indirectly targeting Western firms.
Background: U.S. electric vehicle maker Tesla decided not to attend Auto Shanghai 2023, the latest installation of China's premier biennial international auto show, after a disruptive protester was removed from Tesla's booth at the 2021 auto show, leading to online backlash.
Germany: Strikes Cause Air and Rail Transport Disruptions
What Happened: Security workers from the Verdi trade union at the Dusseldorf, Hamburg and Cologne-Bonn airports in Germany went on strike, causing the cancellation of around 700 flights and affecting at least 100,000 passengers, DW News reported on April 20. The action is set to also include security staff at Stuttgart Airport on April 21.
Why It Matters: The strike highlights the impacts of continuous disruptions related to industrial action over wages in Germany as workers demand higher pay to offset the persisting cost of living despite falling inflation rates in recent months. Besides air transport, industrial action in Germany is also affecting railway operations, with union EVG calling for a nationwide strike on April 21 that will affect 50 transport operators countrywide, including national rail operator Deutsche Bahn.
Background: So far, almost one million passengers have been affected by delays or cancellations due to strikes from the Verdi union in Germany in 2023. Stubbornly high inflation in Germany and other European countries has led to a wave of strikes in recent months. In Germany, action from the Verdi union is taking place amid stalled negotiations, and although talks are set to resume on April 27-28, the risk of disruptions will drag on throughout the busy summer travel season if negotiators do not reach a deal.
Ukraine: NATO Chief Visits Kyiv Ahead of July Summit
What Happened: NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg visited Ukraine for the first time since Russia's invasion in February 2022, and he emphasized that the alliance's priority at its July summit will be finalizing plans for military support to ensure the Ukrainian military's interoperability with NATO and Ukraine's transition away from Russian and Soviet-era equipment, Reuters reported on April 20. Stoltenberg also acknowledged that Zelensky will raise the issue of NATO membership and security guarantees at the summit and that this would "be high on the agenda."
Why It Matters: Despite Stoltenberg's words, major progress toward a Membership Action Plan for Ukraine during the summit remains very unlikely amid opposition in the United States and other NATO members such as Hungary. Stoltenberg's visit was in part intended to ensure Zelensky's commitment to attend the July summit, as Zelensky previously suggested he would only attend if NATO offered Kyiv concrete commitments regarding security guarantees and Ukraine's future membership.
Background: Stoltenberg said that "Ukraine's rightful place is in NATO" and that the alliance would stand with Kyiv "for as long as it takes." On Sept. 13, 2022, Ukraine unveiled the Kyiv Security Compact outlining its desires for security guarantees, including through bilateral "legally and politically binding commitments," among other measures, to support Ukraine militarily in case of a renewed Russian invasion.
Bangladesh: Heatwave Causes Widespread Power Outages, Some Water Shortages
What Happened: A sustained heatwave is triggering widespread power cuts in Bangladesh, with particularly severe power shortages reported in the textile and pharmaceutical hub of Mymensingh and the port city of Chittagong, Reuters reported on April 20. Water authorities in Dhaka reported water shortages in various parts of the capital, some of which were described as acute.
Why It Matters: The country's weather office reported that high temperatures would likely persist, sustaining risks to business continuity and personal health. Some local industries, particularly garment manufacturing, expect increased production costs from heightened fuel use necessary to sustain operations through the heatwave and power cuts. Power cuts and water shortages also risk intensifying anti-government sentiment and triggering protests, worsening potential business disruptions.
Background: Government data showed Bangladesh's electricity supply falling 6.6% short of surging demand from April 12-19, despite record power generation in recent days. Power cuts — alongside rising energy prices — bolstered opposition party support and drove anti-government protests in mid-to-late 2022. And in April 2008, water shortages in Dhaka drove hundreds of protesters into the streets, defying a ban on large assemblies.
Yemen: U.N. Deal on Trapped Oil Tanker Will Likely Avoid Environmental Disaster
What Happened: Dutch salvage company Smit Salvage, a subsidiary of Boskalis, said it had reached an agreement with the U.N. Development Program to transfer oil from the trapped tanker Safer off the coast of Yemen, AP reported on April 20.
Why It Matters: It looks like the United Nations will prevent the Safer from polluting the Red Sea. The environmental damage could have impacted countries across the region, including tourist-heavy locations in Saudi Arabia and Egypt, in addition to destroying frail coral reefs and interrupting fishing grounds needed by local fisheries.
Background: The announcement comes about a month after the United Nations said it had purchased a ship expressly for the point of the transfer. The Safer, built in Japan in the 1970s, has been trapped off the coast of Yemen since the civil war began in 2015, which interrupted the vessel's oil operations and routine maintenance. Surveys of the ship have shown extensive rusting and damage that threatened to spill some of its up to 3 million barrels of oil into the Red Sea.
Chile: Boric Announces Nationalization of Lithium Sector
What Happened: Chilean President Gabriel Boric announced on April 20 that he would seek to nationalize the country's lithium industry, issuing any future contracts as public-private partnerships with state control, Reuters reported the next day. The government plans to let current contracts expire and hope companies renew their contracts under the new plan.
Why It Matters: Chilean lawmakers will heavily debate the plan in the second half of 2023, and it is not certain whether the initiative will achieve the four-sevenths quorum needed to pass. If Chile does nationalize the lithium sector, it could disrupt lithium supply chains as companies move away from Chile. Should battery makers renew their contracts with Chile under the new proposed scheme, the contract conditions would likely become more difficult — potentially leading companies to shift new project starts away from Chile and toward other countries such as Australia, China or even Argentina. This could force companies such as Tesla Inc. and LG Energy Solution Ltd. to diversify their supply chains away from Chile or pay a higher premium for the raw materials for batteries.
Background: The world's largest private lithium-producing companies, the U.S. Albemarle Corp. and Chile's SQM, are set to see their contracts expire in 2043 and 2030, respectively. Chile is currently the second-largest producer of lithium in the world, after Australia, and has 29% of the market share. The country currently exports the raw materials for batteries (lithium carbonate and hydroxide), though the Boric government has sought to start refining the raw material into specialist battery chemicals.
France: Paris Unveils Plan for Faster Debt Reduction
What Happened: French Economy Minister Bruno Le Maire presented the government's "debt stability programme" for 2023-2027, Bloomberg reported on April 20. The new plan aims to lower public debt levels by 4% over the next four years, decreasing France's debt-to-gross domestic product ratio to 108.3% and the government deficit to 2.9% by 2027.
Why It Matters: These debt reduction goals will be particularly difficult to reach in light of slowing economic growth and rising debt servicing costs amid soaring interest rates. Moreover, while inflation will support debt reduction by increasing tax revenues before falling back to close-to-normal levels in 2024, the government's plan will require unpopular cost-saving measures right as Paris tries to emerge from the public outcry triggered by its unpopular pension reform. Government budget cuts will likely represent the largest source of savings together with a gradual wind-down of cost-of-living support measures. The government will present more details on its debt reduction plan in the coming months.
Background: The French government is trying to consolidate public finances after spending almost 300 billion euros ($329 billion) in fiscal stimulus between 2020 and 2023 to stave off the economic impact of the COVID-19 pandemic and the Russia-Ukraine war. As a result, public debt has risen from 97.4% of GDP in 2019 to 111.6% in 2022.
India, Russia: Further Signs of Decay in Arms Relationship
What Happened: Russian arms deliveries to India have "ground to a halt" due to Western sanctions making it nearly impossible for India to settle its outstanding bills because the two cannot use U.S. dollars, Bloomberg reported on April 21.
Why It Matters: Logistically, Western sanctions severely inhibit Russia's ability to acquire spare parts and components to maintain and upgrade systems, including India's sizable arsenal of Russian-made systems. Additionally, Russia needs to commit its hardware to the war effort in Ukraine, leaving fewer arms available to export, and the performance of the Russian military in Ukraine is also giving India pause as to the quality of Russian technology. As a result of these constraints, New Delhi will continue and likely intensify its years-long efforts to diversify its arms supply chains, as well as produce more arms domestically.
Background: Outstanding Indian payments for Russian arms total more than $2 billion, and New Delhi has not been able to make payments for around a year. Russia discontinued a $10 billion credit line dedicated to spare parts acquisitions, and Indian purchases of Russian arms have dropped 19% since 2018.
Hong Kong: First National Security Arrest for Online Statements Made Overseas
What Happened: A Hong Kong student was arrested upon her return from Japan to Hong Kong in March because she made online statements while in Japan supporting Hong Kong's independence, The Asahi Shimbun reported on April 21. The Asahi Shimbun claims this is the first arrest of a Hong Kong citizen for a National Security Law (NSL) offense related to online comments made while abroad.
Why It Matters: Hong Kong authorities will expand NSL implementation and enforcement in 2023, with online activities at the top of their priority list, raising the risk of sanctions on Hong Kong officials and elevating the reputational risks for companies in the event their local employees are arrested for activities conducted while overseas. The risk of arrest may deepen the motivation of Western governments, especially the United States and the United Kingdom, to extend asylum programs for Hong Kongers, further straining those countries' relations with China.
Background: NSL authorities have been arresting citizens for online comments since late 2021, but such cases have accelerated in the last six months.
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Thanks to Dr. Rich
Thanks to Beau ...
SENIORS ARE UNDER ATTACK AND
THIS IS HAPPENING RIGHT HERE IN OUR OWN COUNTRY!
We Must Stop This Immediately!
Have you noticed that stairs are getting steeper? Groceries are heavier. And, everything is farther away. Yesterday I walked to the corner and I was dumbfounded to discover how long our street had become!
And, you know, people are less considerate now, especially the young ones. They speak in whispers all the time! If you ask them to speak up they just keep repeating themselves, endlessly mouthing the same silent message until they're red in the face! What do they think I am, a lip reader?
I also think they are much younger than I was at the same age. On the other hand, people my own age are so much older than I am. I ran into an old friend the other day and she has aged so much that she didn't even recognize me. I got to thinking about the poor dear while I was combing my hair this morning, and in doing so, I glanced at my own reflection well, REALLY NOW -even mirrors are not made the way they used to be!
Another thing, everyone drives so fast these days! You're risking life and limb if you happen to pull onto the freeway in front of them. All I can say is, their brakes must wear out awfully fast, the way I see them screech and swerve in my rear view mirror.
Clothing manufacturers are less civilized these days. Why else would they suddenly start labeling a size 32 waisted pant as 40? Do they think no one notices? The people who make bathroom scales are pulling the same prank. Do they think I actually believe the number I see on that dial? HA! I would never let myself weigh that much! Just who do these people think they're fooling?
I'd like to call up someone in authority to report what's going on -- but the telephone company is in on the conspiracy too: they've printed the phone books in such small type that no one could ever find a number in there!
All I can do is pass along this warning:WE ARE UNDER ATTACK!
Unless something drastic happens pretty soon everyone will have to suffer these awful indignities.
PLEASE PASS THIS ON TO EVERYONE YOU KNOW AS SOON AS POSSIBLE SO WE CAN GET THIS CONSPIRACY STOPPED!
PS: I am sending this to you in a larger font size, because something has happened to my computer's fonts - they are smaller than they once were.
Thank you .
And don't forget...
God gave you toes as a device for finding furniture in the dark AND....If God wanted us to pop out of bed in the morning, he would have had us sleep in toasters.
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This Day in U S Military History…….April 22
1778 – Captain John Paul Jones of Ranger led landing party raid on Whitehaven, England. Whitehaven was an English seaport on the Irish Sea. The decision to raid it was not made because of its strategic value, for the ships in its harbor were mostly coastal fishing vessels, containing little of value to the English war cause. John Paul Jones' original idea was to capture an important person in the course of the raid and hold the unfortunate prisoner hostage until the British ministry released American sailors from prison. By this time, the Revolutionary War had been going on for three years. Soldiers taken prisoner during land engagements were frequently exchanged as prisoners of war. But the English still treated anyone found on an American armed vessel as a pirate. This was a sore point with sailors in the Continental Navy, and especially with Jones. He hoped his raid might free some of the American seamen languishing in English prisons. In addition, he may also have known that the British ministry intended to make the burning of American seaports part of its military policy. He chose Whitehall because it was the English seaport he knew best, having departed from there at age thirteen when he first went to sea. His first voyage had carried him to Virginia, and he later wrote that he fell in love with America at first sight. Going ashore near daybreak, Jones and his men spiked the guns in the two batteries in Whitehaven Harbor, then proceeded to light a collier (coal ship) on fire. One of Jones' crew, however-an Irishman who had enlisted only to get home-began shouting warnings and banging on the doors of citizens. Soon a crowd of townsfolk swarmed down to the water's edge. Jones coolly posted sentinels until the collier was beyond rescue, but decided to abandon the 150 remaining vessels and return to, the Ranger, waiting offshore. The destruction caused by the Whitehaven raid was paltry, but its effectiveness as propaganda was electrifying. No raid had been made on an English seaport since 1667, thanks to Britain's dominance of the seas. Englishmen wondered uneasily where the mighty Royal Navy had been in Whitehaven's time of need, and Jones appeared, not for the last time, in English newspapers as a swashbuckling pirate. The effects of the Continental Navy's daring exploits upon English commerce helped arouse distaste among the British people for continuing the Revolutionary War.
1944 – The Landing at Aitape (Operation Persecution) was a battle of the Western New Guinea campaign of World War II. American and Allied forces undertook an amphibious landing at Aitape on northern coast of Papua New Guinea. The amphibious landing was undertaken simultaneously with the amphibious landings of Battle of Hollandia at Hollandia to isolate the Japanese 18th Army at Wewak. The invasion force was commanded by Brigadier General Jens A. Doe and was built around the US 163rd Infantry Regiment of the 41st Infantry Division (ORARNG). The Japanese defenders numbered less than 1,000 in the area. The landings were planned at "Blue Beach". Obscured by heavy smoke from fires from the beach head, the landing took place at Wapil. The 163rd Regimental Combat Team landed and opposition was light, with most Japanese defenders fleeing into the hills as the overwhelming force continued to arrive. One landing force transport was badly damaged by a Japanese torpedo bomber. No. 62 Works Wing of the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) went ashore that morning to help secure and repair Tadji Airfield. General Douglas MacArthur watched the landings from a light cruiser, then went ashore in a landing boat. The airfield was secured by 13:00, and the fighter strip was made operational by the RAAF No. 62 Works Wing within 48 hours after working nonstop. Twenty-five P-40s from the No. 78 Wing of the RAAF landed on the field on 24 April, with the rest of the wing arriving the next day to provide support to the Aitape and Hollandia landings.
1944 – The 1st Air Commando Group, led by Lt. Col. Clinton B. Gaty, using Sikorsky R-4 helicopters stage the first use of helicopters in combat with combat search and rescue operations in the China-Burma-India theater. President Franklin D. Roosevelt, amidst the Quebec Conference in August 1943, had been impressed by Brigadier Orde Wingate's account of what could be accomplished in Burma with proper air support. To comply with Roosevelt's proposed air support for British long range penetration operations in Burma, the United States Army Air Forces created the 5318th Air Unit to support the Chindits. In March 1944, they were designated the 1st Air Commando Group by USAAF Commander General Hap Arnold. Arnold chose Colonel John R. Alison and Colonel Philip Cochran as co-commanders of the unit.
1945 – The US 31st Infantry Division is landed at Moro Gulf. The US 24th Division is already advancing inland and has nearly reached Kabakan. Meanwhile, on Jolo, the last Japanese resistance comes to an end as their final strong-points fall to the US forces. Scattered individual Japanese soldiers remain at large.
Medal of Honor Citations for Actions Taken This Day
WILKINSON, THEODORE STARK, JR.
Rank and organization: Ensign, U.S. Navy. Born: 22 December 1888, Annapolis, Md. Appointed from: Louisiana. G.O. No.: 177, 4 December 1915. Other Navy award: Distinguished Service Medal with gold stars in lieu of 2 additional DSM's. Citation: For distinguished conduct in battle, engagements of Vera Cruz, 21 and 22 April 1914. Ens. Wilkinson was in both days' fighting at the head of his company and was eminent and conspicuous in his conduct, leading his men with skill and courage.
*HAYASHI, JOE
Private Joe Hayashi distinguished himself by extraordinary heroism in action on 20 and 22 April 1945, near Tendola, Italy. On 20 April 1945, ordered to attack a strongly defended hill that commanded all approaches to the village of Tendola, Private Hayashi skillfully led his men to a point within 75 yards of enemy positions before they were detected and fired upon. After dragging his wounded comrades to safety, he returned alone and exposed himself to small arms fire in order to direct and adjust mortar fire against hostile emplacements. Boldly attacking the hill with the remaining men of his squad, he attained his objective and discovered that the mortars had neutralized three machine guns, killed 27 men, and wounded many others. On 22 April 1945, attacking the village of Tendola, Private Hayashi maneuvered his squad up a steep, terraced hill to within 100 yards of the enemy. Crawling under intense fire to a hostile machine gun position, he threw a grenade, killing one enemy soldier and forcing the other members of the gun crew to surrender. Seeing four enemy machine guns delivering deadly fire upon other elements of his platoon, he threw another grenade, destroying a machine gun nest. He then crawled to the right flank of another machine gun position where he killed four enemy soldiers and forced the others to flee. Attempting to pursue the enemy, he was mortally wounded by a burst of machine pistol fire. The dauntless courage and exemplary leadership of Private Hayashi enabled his company to attain its objective. Private Hayashi's extraordinary heroism and devotion to duty are in keeping with the highest traditions of military service and reflect great credit on him, his unit, and the United States Army.
*THOMAS, WILLIAM H.
Rank and organization: Private First Class, U.S. Army, 149th Infantry, 38th Infantry Division. Place and date: Zambales Mountains Luzon, Philippine Islands, 22 April 1945. Entered service at: Ypsilanti, Mich. Birth. Wynne, Ark. G.O. No.: 81, 24 September 1945. Citation: He was a member of the leading squad of Company B, which was attacking along a narrow, wooded ridge. The enemy strongly entrenched in camouflaged emplacements on the hill beyond directed heavy fire and hurled explosive charges on the attacking riflemen. Pfc. Thomas, an automatic rifleman, was struck by 1 of these charges, which blew off both his legs below the knees. He refused medical aid and evacuation, and continued to fire at the enemy until his weapon was put out of action by an enemy bullet. Still refusing aid, he threw his last 2 grenades. He destroyed 3 of the enemy after suffering the wounds from which he died later that day. The effective fire of Pfc. Thomas prevented the repulse of his platoon and assured the capture of the hostile position. His magnificent courage and heroic devotion to duty provided a lasting inspiration for his comrades.
*LITTLETON, HERBERT A.
Rank and organization: Private First Class, U.S. Marine Corps Reserve, Company C, 1st Battalion, 7th Marines, 1st Marine Division (Rein.). Place and date: Chungchon, Korea, 22 April 1951. Entered service at: Blackhawk, S. Dak. Born: 1 July 1930, Mena, Ark. Citation: For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty while serving as a radio operator with an artillery forward observation team of Company C, in action against enemy aggressor forces. Standing watch when a well-concealed and numerically superior enemy force launched a violent night attack from nearby positions against his company, Pfc. Littleton quickly alerted the forward observation team and immediately moved into an advantageous position to assist in calling down artillery fire on the hostile force. When an enemy hand grenade was thrown into his vantage point shortly after the arrival of the remainder of the team, he unhesitatingly hurled himself on the deadly missile, absorbing its full, shattering impact in his body. By his prompt action and heroic spirit of self-sacrifice, he saved the other members of his team from serious injury or death and enabled them to carry on the vital mission which culminated in the repulse of the hostile attack. His indomitable valor in the face of almost certain death reflects the highest credit upon Pfc. Littleton and the U.S. Naval Service. He gallantly gave his life for his country
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AMERICAN AEROSPACE EVENTS for April 22, 2021 FIRSTS, LASTS, AND SIGNIFICANT ACCOMPLISHMENTS. THANKS TO HAROLD "PHIL" MYERS CHIEF HISTORIAN AIR FORCE INTELLIGENCE, SURVEILLANCE, AND RECONNAISSANCE AGENCY
22 April
1908: Capt Charles DeForest Chandler took Theodore Roosevelt, Jr., the President's son, and Capt Fitzhugh Lee, the President's military aide, on a 4-hour, 30-minute balloon ascent. They landed at Delaware City, Del. (24)
1938: Eddie Rickenbacker, the World War I ace, bought Eastern Airlines from North American Aviation for $3.5 million. (20)
1943: Lt John S. Stewart, 76 FS, and Lt Chin Hao, Chinese Air Force, flew a reconnaissance mission over Lashio, Burma. This flight was one of the first missions involving both Chinese and American personnel. (24)
1946: Glenn L. Martin Company received a contract to build project MX-771, a surface-to-surface missile that became the Matador. (24)
1952: KOREAN WAR. Due to shortages of fighter-bombers, Fifth Air Force assigned a new task to F-86 Sabres from the 4th Fighter-Interceptor Wing and 51st Fighter-Interceptor Wing, the armed reconnaissance of enemy lines of communication. (28)
1958: The USAF and DoD agreed to establish an IRBM force with nine Thor squadrons and three Jupiter squadrons. (6)
1960: The RAF accepted its fourth and final Thor squadron to end the deployment program. (6) The first attempted Atlas D launch from a Vandenberg AFB coffin-launcher was a success. (6) SAC transferred its last RB-47 (C-model number 53-3839) from the 4080 SW at Laughlin AFB to Headquarters Command, Bolling AFB. (1)
1961: An Italian combat training crew successfully launched a Jupiter missile on its first attempt from Cape Canaveral. (6)
1962: Jacqueline Cochran claimed 49 world records for her 5,120-mile, three-stop flight in a Lockheed Jet-Star from New Orleans to Hanover, Germany, via Gander, Newfoundland and Shannon, Ireland. (24)
1964: The USAF accepted its first production RF-4C.
1968: Representatives of 43 nations signed the unanimous space rescue treaty of 19 December 1967 at ceremonies in Washington DC, London, and Moscow. 1980: 33 ARRS Detachments at Clark AB and Kadena AB assisted in the rescue of 900 passengers from a ferry that sank about 150 miles south of Manila. (16) (26) 1981: The 81 TFW set an USAF record by generating 533 sorties in a single day. (4)
2001: Through 23 April, Global Hawk No. 5 completed a record trans-Pacific flight from Edwards AFB to the Royal Australian AFB at Edinburgh, Australia, in 23 hours and 23 minutes. AV-5, renamed "Southern Cross II" to honor the first manned trans-Pacific flight in 1928 by Sir Charles Kingsford-Smith, was the first UAV to cross the Pacific. (3) (21)
2004: A 92 AREFW KC-135R from Fairchild AFB, assigned to the 340th Expeditionary AREFS, flew the first combat mission with an operational Global Air Traffic Management (GATM) system. The GATM incorporated a series of air traffic system upgrades to enable the safe operation of commercial and military aircraft in congested airspace. The system also enhanced aircrew situational awareness and communications. Captain Earl Ardales commanded the aircraft on the mission. (22)
2005: AFFTC at Edwards AFB completed the first-ever five-bundle sequential Low Velocity Airdrop from a C-130J. The cargo bundles landed 1,000 feet apart on the Precision Impact Range Area, only five yards off the planned point of impact. (3)
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